eBay, Australia’s largest marketplace, today revealed data* that there are billions of dollars worth of second hand handsets sitting unused in drawers and cupboards across Australia that could generate a healthy sum for their owners.

Deloitte** claims that in 2016 used smartphone sales generated more than $17 billion globally and ebay.com.au continues to see a huge demand locally. In 2016 alone, over 154,000 pre-loved handsets and 421,000 mobile accessories were sold by Aussies on ebay.com.au.

With the imminent launch of the new Samsung Galaxy smartphone and rumours of a special edition 10th anniversary iPhone, savvy Australians are preparing to trade in the old for the new. Despite being released more than a year and a half ago, the average selling price for an iPhone 6s Plus is $682, over $139 more than its one year old Samsung counterpart, the Galaxy S7 Edge which fetches $493. And for sellers considering trading their phone online, Sunday is the most popular day of the week to purchase.

The top five mobile phone models to sell on eBay.com.au to get the best return are:

iPhone 7 Plus

Google Pixel XL

Google Pixel

iPhone 7

iPhone 6s Plus

Sellers looking to upgrade can use eBay’s ‘How much is your smartphone worth?’ tool. By simply selecting the model, colour and condition it will automatically generate how much sellers can expect to get for their handset on eBay.com.au. Then all it takes is one click to get started listing!

In 2016, a mobile phone was sold every 60 seconds on eBay.com.au as consumers increasingly look to sell their used handsets, rather than give them away. The top selling models last year were the iPhone 6, iPhone 5s and the Samsung Galaxy S5.

According to Deloitte Global, the growth rate of the used smartphone market is forecast to be 4-5 times higher than the overall smartphone market and this re-sell practice by consumer and suppliers is expected to accelerate through 2020**.

“We expect buying and selling in the smart phone category on eBay to break records this year as Aussies get swept up in the hype that the 10th anniversary iPhone in particular is going to generate. This means it’s the perfect time to sell any old handsets that are lying around at home,” said eBay spokesperson and trend watcher Megan English.

eBay is one of the world’s largest online marketplaces, connecting people with the things they need and love virtually anytime, anywhere. eBay has 157 million active buyers globally and more than 800 million live individual and merchant listings at any given time. With mobile apps available in 190 countries, eBay delivers a personalised shopping experience and seamless access to inventory from down the street and around the world. Tailored shopping experiences customize buying and selling; and eBay provides variety and choice for sellers by enabling them to offer goods through online, mobile and local channels to consumers around the world. For more information, visit ebay.com.